Junior forward Trevin Harris scored a team-high 16 points off the bench, and Pacific held on to beat previously unbeaten Xavier 70-67 in the opener of the DirecTV Classic. It's a banner victory for the all-time winningest coach at Pacific and in the Big West Conference.

"This is a great win for our program, especially for our team," said Thomason, who is in his 25th and final season coaching his alma mater. "We kind of believe in ourselves, but we haven't proven yet that we're good. I thought tonight was not only about beating a Xavier team that's not only good and athletic, and a good program, but (it was about being) down 9-0 to start the game and being able to fight back and really get control."

Pacific (2-2) will play Saint Mary's at 12:30 p.m. today in a game televised on ESPN2.

Harris started 18 games for Pacific last season but came off the bench in each of the Tigers' three games before facing Xavier (3-1), which is not ranked in the most recent Associated Press' Top 25 poll but did receive seven votes.

"The last game he played 25 minutes off the bench; that's a starter's share on our team," Thomason said. "When he plays the way Trevin played for our team, it's very important for our team to have him playing. We could not have won the game without him today."

Harris said he's struggled in games but has been shooting well in practice. On Thursday, that success finally crossed over.

"You know how they say once shooters see the ball go in, it's a little easier to take the next shot?" he said. "I've really got to give a lot of the credit to my teammates. I'm not a big creator, but if I'm open on the wing I can knock it down.

"They found me in good positions to score, so hats off to the people that got me the ball."

Tony Gill and Travis Futon finished with 10 points apiece for the Tigers. Semaj Christon led Xavier with a game-high 18 points.